Premature Mortality

There were 2144 premature deaths (deaths under the age of 75) in Grampian during 2025, 900 females and 1244 males(NRS Deaths). For females this equated to 29% of all deaths and for males, 39%.

Cancer and Heart Disease accounted for just over half of all premature deaths over the five-year period 2020-24. This is the case for both males and females. However cancer is more common cause of premtaure death in females accounting for 39% of all deaths compared to 31% amongst males. Heart Disease is a more common cause of premature death amongst males, accounting for 19% of deaths compared to 12% for female.

The most common type of cancer leading to premature death was lung cancer for both males and females, accounting for 392 premature female deaths and 399 male deaths in the five years 2020-24. This was followed by Breast cancer for females (274 premature deaths) and oesophageal cancer for males (162 deaths).

There is considerable variation across Grampian with 43% of female deaths in the most deprived areas, classed as premature, compared to 24% in the least deprived areas (Figure 52).

That said, the premature mortality rate is rising across all quintiles, with the greatest increase in the most deprived areas. Over the period 2021-25 the premature mortality rate for females was on average 476 per 100,000 population per annum in the most deprived quintile, an increase of 10% from 2015-19. In the least deprived quintile, an increase of 7% was recorded over the same period.

At a local level, over the 10-year period 2016-25, the premature death rate in Peterhead Harbour (Aberdeenshire) was over four times the rate in Garlogie and Elrick (Aberdeenshire) at 701 per 100,000 population compared to 172 per 100,000 population (both sexes).

Figure 52 – Premature Deaths in Grampian (Females) by SIMD Quintile. Click on the image to enlarge.

Amongst males, 52% of deaths in the most deprived quintile and 30% of deaths in the least deprived quintile were premature in 2025 (Figure 53).

In contrast to the female premature mortality rate, the male premature mortality rate has increased at a more rapid rate in the least deprived quintile, up 7.4% between 2015-19 and 2021-25 as opposed to a 5.5% increase in the most deprived quintile.

Figure 53 – Premature Deaths in Grampian (Males) by SIMD Quintile. Click on the image to enlarge.

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